News  > Dave Paddock

03/07/06

News from School Administrators Association of New York State

For more information: Michelle Hebert, 518-782-0600; mhebert@saanys.org

FAIRPORT PRINCIPAL NAMED NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

ALBANY, NY -- (03/02/2006; 1400)(EIS) -- The School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) has named David M. Paddock, principal at Fairport High School, the 2006 New York State High School Principal of the Year. This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS who has been a secondary principal (grades 6-12) for at least five years, in which time he or she has set the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in his or her school. Nominees are administrators who are committed to parents and the community and have shown exceptional contributions to the educational process. This award selection is part of the National Association of Secondary School Principal's process to select a national high school principal of the year for 2007.

In his letter of support to the selection committee, John Baynes, a teacher at Fairport, states that Dave Paddock, "transformed our high school to a level of excellence we couldn't have achieved until a leader of Dave's vision, commitment, and intensity arrived and showed a good institution that greatness could be ours." He explains, "Dave reformed this school from the top down . . . made a profound impact on the students, on how they feel about adults, and how they feel about each other . . . started a number of student and staff recognition programs. Dave won the kids over with the only force that truly works: love." As for personal style, Paddock's is one of collaboration with students and staff. According to Baynes, "He doesn't tell; he invites. He has tutored close to a dozen new administrators from our staff; teachers are hungry to work with him and learn from him. All that he does promotes engagement in learning in the traditional and non-traditional setting; all of his management of student behavior, teacher evaluation, and daily activities is designed for the safety, security, and sanctity of the learning experience."

William Cala, Fairport's superintendent, agrees with Baynes' portrayal of Paddock. "Dave's power is with personalizing a very large high school. We often say that FHS is the smallest "big school" in the country. FHS is truly a family, a family led by David Paddock with passion and love."

Paddock has served as a school administrator for 18 years, 10 as principal at Fairport. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from SUNY Cortland. He has received several awards including the Educator of the Year Award in Newark, New York; Best Principal, Rochester Area City Newspaper; and Who's Who in Education. He is an adjunct professor of educational leadership at St. John Fisher College and is active in many professional and community organizations.

SAANYS represents over 6,700 school leaders throughout the state, providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is the official state affiliate to both the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

source: http://www.eisinc.com/release/storiesh/SAANYS.005.html